The Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief take on a single cigar.

This limited production thick Robusto (5 x 54) features a rustic Nicaraguan corojo wrapper with a pigtail. It starts out with medium-bodied leather flavors and a salty finish, then cinammon, nutmeg, and pepper flavors flow in and out of the relatively complex smoke. Availble for $8-10 per cigar, it is far more interesting than the regular Trinidad line and for only a few dollars in additional cost.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief take on a single cigar.

This corojo, in my humble opinion, does not rank as one of Pepin’s great creations. I enjoy the Robusto’s (5 x 50) taste, noting how it transitions from dry spice to cream to warm tobacco, but would appreciate more balance and less bitterness. The meandering burn also leaves something to be desired. For $6, I am neither regretful nor thrilled—I am, however, willing to trade my remaining stash of Cuban Classics for Blue Labels instead.

Verdict = Hold.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief take on a single cigar.

As I fired up this four and 7/8 inches by 46 ring gauge Nicaraguan puro, I was reminded of the words of my colleague, Jon N, who lent his talents to Keepers of the Flame for a guest review. “This little cigar has a bit of a Napoleon complex,” he wrote. “It’s short, but it’s rugged and ready to rumble.” I couldn’t agree more. From the prelight notes of sweet cocoa, the earthy taste of leather and black pepper, and the fine physical properties, the Padrón Delicias Maduro is a hearty 50-minute smoke. You can rumble with one of these for around $3 apiece.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief take on a single cigar.

After an excellent experience with the Nub Connectiut, I gave this slightly smaller 3 and 3/4 inch by 58 ring gauge Habano-wrapped Nub a whirl. More full-bodied than the Connecticut, it had strong cedar flavors with an earthy finish and flashes of spice. Unfortunately, there was also a slight chemical flavor that seemed to be dueling with far more pleasant notes of bittersweet chocolate. There were two noticeable imperfections with the construction: The wrapper was a bit veinny and multi-colored, particularly around the cap, and the burn started quite uneven, only to correct itself.

Verdict = Hold.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief take on a single cigar.

I like lanceros. So when I saw this 7 inch Serie V I had to give it a try. I used a V-cutter and a conventional butane lighter, fearing a torch would be too much for the 38 ring gauge foot. It drew fine from start to finish and produced lots of smoke. I was disappointed, though, in the flavors. The cigar just wasn’t as smooth or as tasty as other Olivas I’ve enjoyed. Perhaps there’s too much of the Habano Sun Grown wrapper relative to the Nicaraguan filler. I recommend other vitolas—Cigar Aficionado named the Torpedo the fourth best cigar for 2007—in this high-quality line.

Verdict = Sell.

–George E

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief take on a single cigar.

I decided to test “Nub theory” with this Connecticut-wrapped torpedo (4 x 64) on a sunny morning with a cup of Kona coffee. (Interestingly, the Nub website doesn’t list this size, although they were being distributed at the IPCPR show, where I grabbed this particular stick.) The medium-bodied flavors of this stubby little smoke melded perfectly with the coffee, featuring a smooth creamy base with cocoa and a touch of cedar. The construction was also impressive, with the distinctive firm solid ash.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick S

photo credit: Stogie Guys

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief take on a single cigar.

With a firm ash, an even burn, and a bargain price of $105-118 per box of 25, this Honduran puro is hard not to recommend. The 6 inch by 60 ring gauge Gigante is well-balanced and satisfying, encompassing notes of dry wood, clove, and smooth spice. I’d purchase this again in a heartbeat, not so much as a stand-alone smoke, but as an excellent accompaniment to a round of 18 holes or, as Cigar Jack says, a friendly barbeque.

Verdict = Buy.

–Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys